We deliver specialist care support and treatment through a range of services:
- Learning Disability Crisis Resolution Service
- Inpatient Assessment and Treatment Unit (Carrick 2 Ward), Holywell Hospital, Antrim
- Community-based crisis bed (Stewart Suite), Holybank, Magherafelt
- Community Treatment Services
Support is available from a range of specialist teams.
Assessments identify challenges and risks. Treatments will involve therapies, support for mental health, and strategies for communication and behaviour care plans.
Learning Disability Crisis Resolution Service
The Learning Disability Crisis Resolution Team provides specialist support for adults with learning disability, who are presenting with behaviours of concern and/or symptoms of mental illness, and are experiencing crisis in the community.
This support may be provided in the person’s own home, or at an identified facility situated within the Northern Trust. It may be by a telephone call, a face-to-face visit in your home, or daycare setting.
The Learning Disability Crisis Resolution Service is available to adults who are:
- Aged 18 years and over
- Have a diagnosis of a learning disability
- Be known to the Northern Trust services
- Reside in the Northern Trust area
- Are currently experiencing an acute deterioration in their mental health and/or present with behaviours of concern.
The team works as part of a larger team in learning disability with many different professionals.
We have a crisis resolution team lead, learning disability practitioners and adult support workers.
How to access the service
The Learning Disability Crisis Resolution Service operates an open referral system and accepts referrals from a wide range of sources within the Northern Trust, including:
- General Practitioners (GPs/Dalriada Doctor)
- Community teams
- Community Treatment Services
- Mental Health Liaison Service
- Regional Emergency Social Work Service
- Contractual providers
How to contact us
Learning Disability Crisis Resolution Service
- Telephone:
The Learning Disability Crisis Resolution Service is available from Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 5:00pm.
For urgent help outside of normal opening hours, contact Dalriada Doctor on Call on 028 2566 3500. The Dalriada Doctor on call will contact the Learning Disability Crisis Resolution Team.
Inpatient Assessment and Treatment Unit (Carrick 2 Ward), Holywell Hospital
Our Assessment and Treatment Unit (Carrick 2 Ward) at Holywell Hospital in Antrim has three beds for inpatient assessment and treatment for patients with a moderate or severe learning disability.
The service (Also known as Tier 4 level) provides assessment and treatment for patients in an acute phase of illness and who are in crisis.
The specialist service supports service users whose needs cannot be met within mainstream services or community services, despite reasonable adjustments, and require specialist assessment and treatment in a specialist learning disability hospital setting.
How to contact us
- Telephone: 028 9442 4000 (Switchboard)
- Telephone: 028 7032 7032
Community-based crisis bed (Stewart Suite), Holybank
The Stewart Suite is a one-bedded facility located at Hollybank short break unit in Magherafelt.
The Stewart Suite provides a safe space for a service user with a learning disability to be supported in the short term through a crisis that does not meet the criteria for detention under the Mental Health Order but would benefit from a safe environment.
The length of stay at the Stewart Suite will be determined by a review from the multi-disciplinary team, at the earliest opportunity, and agreed by the registered manager/person in charge of Hollybank – or, if appropriate, until alternative arrangements can be made.
How to access this service
All referrals for the Stewart Suite will be triaged by the Learning Disability Crisis Response Team.
Support during hospital visits
The Trust provides support to adults with a learning disability who are attending at our hospitals.
The HSC Hospital Passport is an important tool that can be held in ward or department, providing vital information about a person with a learning disability. It can help our staff understand the least stressful ways to interact with that person.
Read more about support for people with learning disabilities and the HSC Hospital Passport.